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Plans for School Opening
The District's administrators updated the Board and public
on preparations for the September 7 return of students. Mr.
Chambers forecast opening day enrollment (approximately 2800
students in grades K-12), and Dr. Taylor enumerated curriculum
and staff development efforts over the summer (including some
59 curriculum projects, and three days of full staff meetings
in the last week of August). Dr. Taylor also noted the careful
efforts to prepare more than fifty new staff members for their
responsibilities.
Mr. Carlson reported on the summer's progress on various
facilities projects, including the installation of more portable
classrooms, and the ambitious effort to renovate all of the
high school athletic fields, in addition to the usual summer
refurbishing of facilities. The portable classrooms are ready
for use, and classrooms and core space in the four school
buildings were promised for opening day readiness. Not yet
complete is the high school fields renovation; the Board looks
for a more comprehensive report on the fields project at its
9/7 meeting.
Policy
Returning to the proposed policy on Chemical Health Code of
Conduct, the Board again engaged community comment, and concluded
its own discussion with a unanimous adoption of the policy,
which will take effect immediately for all students participating
in extracurricular activities, grades 6-12.
The new policy will be soon sent to all households, 6-12 students.
Girls' Soccer
Returning to the subject of Girls' Soccer, the Board acknowledged
receipt of a letter from three sets of parents requesting
acceleration of the District's transition plan for moving
Girls' Soccer from the spring to the fall season. The District's
transition plan calls for movement of the various levels of
play
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for Girls' Soccer to
be complete in the fall of 2006; the letter requested that the
transition be complete no later than the fall of 2005 in order
"to avoid any legal challenge." Reflecting on the
extensive process of community dialogue and consultation which
led up to the administrative recommendation and Board acceptance
of the transition plan, and citing in particular a desire to
respect the opinions of all affected (including students presently
involved in the program who argued against a quicker transition),
the Board affirmed the transition plan as previously adopted.
Other Business
Further updates were provided on matters including the August
adoption of a New York State budget (the latest in history),
and the failure of the legislature and governor to comply
with the court order in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case,
which has significant implications for State aid to all schools.
Looking ahead, the Board was offered an opportunity to walk
through all the school buildings before the
September 7 opening, and reminded of its next public meeting
date, on September 7-the same day students are due back.
Coming Attractions
September 21, 2004:
Board Retreat - 6:00 p.m.
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WELCOME BACK
EVERYONE!!
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